Self-cleaning atomizer



SePt- 27, 1932- A, J, Lol-:PSINGER 1,879,363

SELF CLEANING ATOMIZER Filed May 29, 1931 ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 27, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ALBERT J. LOEPSINGER, O`F IROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN MOISTENING COMPANY, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, A CORPORATION OF MAINE SELF-CLEANING ATOMIZER application mea may 29, 1931. serial No. 540,905.

This invention relates to self-cleaning atomizers. More especially it relates to that type of atomizer in which air under pressure is discharged through a nozzle in close proximity to another nozzle through which water is discharged.

It is an object of this invention to provide means whereby the air pressure available may be utilized to eect cleaning of both nozzles of the atomizer automaticallyL It is a .further object of the invention to provide means whereby this air pressure is prevented from affecting the desired discharge of the water.

The best mode in which I have contem-uv plated applying the principles of my invention are disclosed in the accompanying drawing but it is intended that the patent shall cover by suitable expression in the appended claims whatever features of patentable novelty exist in the invention disclosed.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a vertical medial section showing an atomizer embodyin the invention, the movable parts being in tie so-called closed positions;

Figure 2 is a similar section with the moveable parts in open position;

Figure 3 is a similar section showing an atomizer having pistons as the pressure responsive means; and

Figure 4 -is a similar section showing a modified form of the piston type of atomizer.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the body of the atomizer has a threaded inlet 1 for connection to an air supply pipe and another such inlet 2 for connection with a water supply. The air is su plied under pressure while the water is preflrably lifted rom a nearby well by the aspirating effect of the discharging air. It is to be understood, however, thatl the water may also be supplied under pressure and the atomizer used when this arrangement pertains.

In either case it is important that the water be discharged with uniformity for if the water supply is varied, as would be the case 1f air were to be admitted tothe water supply, then the desiredeifectiveness of the atomizer can not be realized and moreover such variationv in the water-.supply -might cause undesired precipitation. Accordingly, it is essential to maintain a predetermined relation of the air and water nozzles and to insure an unvaried water supply while the nozzles are in action.

The said predetermined relation is attained in the atomizer of this invention by arranging the air nozzle 3 and water nozzle 4 at an angle to each other with the opening of the latter substantially on the axial line of theJ air stream. The accurate positioning of these nozzles is assured by the cone seats 5 against which the respective nozzles tightly make up.

In the preferred form of atomizer shown in Figures 1 and 2, the air nozzle is at one end of a passage 6 whose' other end is closed by a diaphra m 7 here depicted as a disk of rubber or exible composition. This is clamped at its periphery between a suitable seat formed in an enlargement of the passage and a metal disk 8 which is of dished shape with an opening 8a through its central portion. The edge of this metal disk is pressed against the diaphragm by a cylindrical nut 9 that screws into'the enlarged end of the passage 6.

At its center the diaphragm is attached to a rod 10 which extends through the passage and into the nozzle, its end making a nice sliding fit withthe nozzleopening 3a. When the air supply is cut of this rod is pushed forward by al spring 11 housed in the nut 9 'so as to exert pressure on a plate 12 secured to the rod l0 by suitable clamping nuts. In this position the end of the rod extends through the nozzle opening 3a.

When the air supply is turned on it enters the passage 6 through the inlet opening 1a and acts directly on the diaphragm 7 to overcome wthe force of spring 11. The diaphragm is accordingly flexed 'and pushed back against the reinforcing plate 8, the plate 12 at the same time bottoming on the shoulder 9a of the nut 9. During this movement of the diaphragm the rod 10 is withdrawn from the opening 3a thus allowing the air to discharge through the nozzle ing 4a of -the water nozzle 4.

This water nozzle is likewise provided with a cleaning rod 13 which ,is securedy to two pastl the opendiaphragms. One diaphragm 14 is smaller than the other and serves primarily to prevent leakage of air into the water passage 15. This is important because, whether the water is lifted from a well by aspirating effect or is itself supplied under pressure, it should be a solid unified stream of water in order that the maximum effectiveness of discharge may take place. If the air were permitted to leak into the water passage it is evident 'that the full effect of the aspirating eiect would be eopardized and in any event the discharge rom the water nozzle would be adversely disturbed by the air bubbles caused V causing the rod 13 to move so that its end is withdrawn from the nozzle opening 4a. Thus upon the turning on Aof the airsupply both rods are retracted from their respective nozzle openings and held so as long as the air pressure continues. Upon the air being cut E the springs 11 and 2O then force the rods through their respective nozzle openings with cleaning eiect, since the end of each rod makes a nice sliding it with the wall of its nozzle opening.

In the atomizers disclosed in Figures 3 and 4 the pressure responsive means associated with the air nozzle cleaning rod is a piston 22. This is attached to the rod by suitable nuts and slides inthe cylinder 6 which forms the air passage `to the nozzle 3. It is acted upon by a spring 11 housed in' a hollow nut 9. Upon admission of theair through inlet opening la the piston 22 and rod 10 are retracted against the force of sprin 11 and the air nozzle outlet 3a is opened. en the air pressure is cut oil the spring 11 moves the piston and rod to effect cleaning of the nozzle.

The atomizer of Figure 3 has -a cleaning rod 13 for the water nozzle 4, attached to a double piston 23 the smaller head 23a of which slides in the cylinder 24 and the larger head 236 of which moves in cylinder 25.

The smaller head 23a has a peripheral groove 23o and a transverse hole 23d which is connected b the axial hole 23e with a vented s ring c amber, 19a in the hollow nut 19.

e groove and holes just mentioned take care of any leakage of air which tends to pass by the small head 23a, such air being able to pass through the groove and holes Lavasc in the piston into the vented chamber 19a and thenceV to the atmosphere. Thus in this modification the invention provides means to prevent leakage of air to the water passage.

When air pressure is admitted to the cylinder 6 it passes by connection 17 to cylinder 25 and acts upon the head 23?) to move the piston 23 against the resistance of spring 20 in the nut 19 until the head 23?) bottoms on the shoulder 19'?) .of the nut. lUpon reduction of the air pressure the spring 20 forces the piston and attached rod\13 to effect cleaning of the water nozzle opening 4a.

In the modification shown in Figure 4, the small piston 26 is attached to the cleaning rod 13 and moves in cylinder'A 27 A larger piston 28 is likewise secured to rod 13 and moves in cylinder 29. Upon the introduction of the air to the latter, through connection 17, the two pistons are moved against the spring 20 housed in the nut 19 until the smaller piston 26 seats tightly against the shoulder 27al of cylinder 27. In order to insure this seating, a flexible disk 30 is attached to-the large piston 28 and so arranged that as it engages the shoulder 19 b of nut 19 it yields sufficiently to allow piston 26 to seat tightly. This tight seating of the piston 26 will preventA any leakage of air to the water passage.

Thus in all of the lforms shown, the air and water nozzles are automatically cleaned by rods which are retracted or removed from the respective nozzle openings by the air pressure.

If the water is supplied under pressure the action of the atomizer so far as its movable parts is concerned is precisely the same, the water pressure .acting on the diaphragm 16, or the pistons 23a or 26 to augment the air pressure in the opening movement of the respective water nozzle cleaning rod.

I claim:

1. A self-cleaning atomizer comprising, in combination, a body having a passage adaptred to receive air under pressure; a nozzle at one end of the passage for discharge of air; a pressure responsive element at the. other en 'of said passage adapted to be moved 4in one directions by the air pressure in said passage; a rod attached to said element and adapted to be moved thereby to effect cleaning of said nozzle; a spring arranged to oppose the movement of said rod occasioned by the air pressure and to cause movement of the rod upon the cessation of said air pressure; another passage in said body.

adapted to receive water; a nozzle at one end of said water passage arranged in roximity to the air nozzle whereby the disc arge of air causes the water to be atomized; a second rod adapted to be movedito -eect cleaning of the water nozzle; a chamber in said body having a second pressure responsive element associated therewith and connectedto said second rod; a passage connecting said chamber and the air passage first mentioned whereby upon the admission of air under pressure said second pressure responsive element is subjected to pressure to effect movement of said second rod; a second spring opposing movement of said second rod and adapted upon cessation of the air pressure to cause movement of said second rod to effect cleaning of the water nozzle; and means associated with said second rod to prevent leakage of air into the said water passage.

2. A self-cleaning atomizer comprising, in combination, a body having a passage adapted to receive air under pressure; a nozzle at one end of the passage for discharge of air; a diaphragm at the other end of said passage adapted to be flexed by the air pressure therein; a rod connected to said diaphragm so as to be moved by the flexing thereof a spring acting on said rod in opposition to the air pressure, adapted to yield to the iiexing of said diaphragm when the air pressure is applied and to move said rod, when the air pressure is reduced, to clean said air nozzle; another passage in said body adapted to receive water; a second nozzle for discharge of the water arranged in proximity to said air nozzle whereby the air effects atomization of the water; a second cleaning rod associated with said water nozzle; a second diaphragm connectedto said second rod; a connecting passage from the first said air passage Whereby the air pressure is communicated to said second diaphragm to cause it to flex and thereby move said rod; asecond spring opposing movement of said second rod, adapted to yield to the flexing of said diaphragm where the air ressure is a plied thereto, and upon the re uction of the air i pressure to move said second rod to effect cleaning of the water nozzle; and a third d1aphragm associated with said second rod and arranged to prevent communication between said air passages and the water passage.

3. A self-cleaning atomizer comprising, in combination, a body having a cylinder adaptto receive air under pressure; a discharge nozzle connected with said cylinder for discharge of said air; a rod arranged to extend through said air nozzle; aspring acting u on said rod to force -its end throu li the ischarge openin of said air nozzfe; a iston in said cylin er, secured to said vand adapted to be acted upon by the air pressure to overcome the force of said sprin and e-ect an opening movement of said ro whereby air is discharged from the air nozzle; a second cylinder in said body havin a portion adapted to receive water and anot r portionl adapted to receive air; a nozzle connected to -the cylinder and cylinder in sai one end of said cylinder for discharge of water, the said water nozzle being in proximity to the air nozzle so that vthe discharge of air under pressure will eiect atomization of the water; a said cylinder and the portion of the second cylinder adapted to receive air whereby air is introduced to said portion; a piston in said second cylinder having a head slidable in the portion thereof adapted to receive water and having tion adapted to receive air; a rod connected to said piston and adapted to be moved thereby in direction to open said water nozzle when the air pressure is imposed on said piston; a spring acting upon said water nozzle rod to cause it to move to clean said water nozzle when the air pressure on said piston is reduced; there being a groove around the piston head in the passages connecting said groove to the atmosphere whereby air tending to leak past said piston into the water passage is vented and thereby prevented from entering the water receiving portion of the cylinder.

'4. A self cleaning atomizer comprising, in combination, a body having a cylinder adapted to receive air under pressure; a nozzle aS- sociated with said cylinder for discharge of the air; a piston in said cylinder responsive to the pressure therein; a rod for cleaning said air nozzle attached to said piston and adapted-to be moved thereby to open said air nozzle when the air pressure is applied tothe piston; a spring acting upon said rod and adapted to move it to clean said nozzle when the air xressure is reduced; a second body having a portion adapted to receive water and a portlon adapted to recelve air; a nozzle connected to said second cylinder for discharge of water; a connection between the air portion of said cyl'- inder and the first mentioned cylinder whereby air is introduced to said air portion; a piston in said second cylinder havin a head in the water portion and another ead in the air portion, the latter being acted upon by the air to cause the piston to move in one direction; a rod attached to said piston and sok arranged with respect to said water nozzle that upon the piston being moved by the air pressure the water nozzle is opened; a sprin acting upon said rod to cause it to move and effect cleaning of the water nozzle when the air pressure 1s reduced; there being yieldable lmeans associated with the piston head 1n `the air rtion of cylinder whereby the piston hea .in the water connection between the first t another head slidable in the porwater'recelving portion of portion is tightly sealed by the air pressure and leaka of air into the water portion is teven Signed at Providence, ode I`sla`11d,this

28th day of 1931.

Ma ALBIRT J. LOEPSINGER.- 

